"Hmmm, this being an Agri-World puts us in a very delicate situation. Losing such a resource would mean the deaths of billions unable to subsist without the tithes produced here and, should it be captured, mean that these very same resources would be used to instead feed the foul xenos."
"However, we know that we should expect some form of reinforcement unless our envoy's have somehow been intercepted or Astropathic Message been blocked or corrupted - both unlikely events. So, in this scenario, holding out for their arrival would seem like the most prudent measure though with the forces at our disposal and those arrayed against us coupled with our environment, we'd be truly hard pressed to repel them."
"The only local terrain that we could use to our advantage is the jungles but that is populated by Aggressive and Territorial native fauna which we have already encountered which, coupled with Kroot presence, would prove more detrimental to our efforts than beneficial."
"Whilst a decapitation strike could prove effective, we only would only have a single real opportunity at eliminating the proper target - the identification of which could take a significant amount of time - and were we to fail and eliminate the wrong target, make any and all future efforts much more difficult to accomplish. I would personally advise against such a course of action until such a time as we can effectively make use of such a method."
"Too, speaking as a Son of Dorn and Imperial Fist, I would advise against fighting a defensive siege; the terrain being wholly unsuited to such a tactic not to mention our lack of a clearly defensible location and siege materiel."
"However, if we could funnel the majority of the Xenos forces into engaging us in the Habitation Blocks of the planet and fighting on our terms in confined quarters where our lower numbers and, in our specific cases, greater efficacy in all things combat, then we should be able to whittle down their numbers sufficiently whilst also possibly stalling them long enough for reinforcements to arrive."
"The main issue with this idea is making these Habitation Blocks or other locations such as Manufactora and Generatorium locations of such value that their loss would either cripple the Xenos Efforts or render the planet worthless."
"With regards to the latter idea of rendering the world worthless, threatening the Overload and/or Meltdown of the Planetary Generatorium and the venting of its byproduct into the atmosphere and possibly causing a planetary apocalypse might prove incentive enough though, at this stage, this is all supposition and guesswork on my part since, despite my calling as a follower of the Omnissiah, I ply my trade in matters of warfare. If it were possible for us or at least I to obtain the technical specifics of this planet's machinery from the local Tech-Priests then it might provide another path to victory for us."
"To the point of jungles: Are the local forces trained to survive and fight a jungle war? If so this could be a great way do perform hit and run attacks from the cover of the deep jungle. Also we need to set up secret vox relays to ensure communication between the separate forces in case the Xeno will disrupt the main vox network - which they will likely do. What about the civilians? Are they prepared for civil disobedience? We should give out some transportable and covert vox transmitters so they can send reports of Xeno movements and actions to us.
Information's about their actions will be crucial if we eventually have to fight a guerilla war."
"Our strike would aim to eliminate one of their senior cadre commanders, but it would be a great risk. The only way to take out their fighters would be to destroy starships, which so far are staying out of range of our orbital defenses. That is slowing down their deployment."
"The Xenos will have to enter the city, but we lack man portable heavy weapons. We will struggle against their suits in the city and our tanks and artillery will be unable to maneuver."
"If we fall back to the jungle I fear the xenos will simply firebomb the jungle. The majority of the guerilla war will have to fought in the city."
While listening to the Inquisitor, Micrastur will send a text message via vox to the thunderhawk pilot.
+++ Estimate chances for moving unnoticed by enemy fighters. Target deployment area is 40 clicks north, an orbital defence position. Chances indicate a loss of allied air forces in 8 to 12 hours. After successful mission we will head back to the capital. Report quickly. Hawkeye. +++
Turning to the Inquisitor as he ends:
"I fear you are right Inquisitor. A stand in the jungles would result in orbital bombardement, but a stand in the city has the real chance of an ultimate defeat. This must not happen. We must the Xeno not allow to defend the world thoroughly after they defeat any local resistance. Relief forces will come eventually. Our orders to the frigate were clear.
Now ... Has the city a large underground system of service tubes and caverns, possible external entries? We should contact the mechanicus for possible charts and maps if there are any. Such tunnels will prove highly useful for hit and run attacks and will not allow enemy heavy weapons to enter."
Finally he will turn to his Brothers.
"If we plan to make our stand in the city, then we should make several supply runs to the base, before thunderhawk flies will become to dangerous. Maybe we can even transport the venerable Brother here? I fear the base will be detected from orbit and attacked. It would not befit a venerable one to be lost in such a way."
"Aye, having any Dreadnought - especially a relic such as He - would be of immense aid to us and I doubt he will object to his inclusion in our operations after such a long dormancy. Though I omitted to bring my Servo-Arm with me for this task, I will confer with the local Tech-Priests to see if we can't get any detailed maps for the area and if we would be able to construct some defences or at least reinforce our primary position in the little time we have to set up."
"As for our gear, I am in agreement with your assessment though we should probably decide what to do with our suit of Tactical Dreadnought Armour at our disposal since I highly doubt we'll have the facilities to equip or remove the suit once we leave the station."
The Thunderhawk informs you that he can fly you to one location and back before there should be concerns.
One of the Inquisitor's acolytes speaks, "There are extensive tunnels, some even run to outlying villages up to 30 kilometers away. I don't think anyone has completely mapped them in recent years, but we could make sure the Xenos don't get any maps of the tunnels. But some of them are quite large, a Sentinel could easily walk down some of them."
"How far below the surface are these tunnels found? Deep enough and they should be safe from most bombardments and since they're tunnels, would mean reinforcing them would be a simpler task though it would possibly limit our escape routes. That said, it would open up our avenues of attack for striking remote and distant locations depending on how traversible these tunnels are. Interesting...very interesting..."
"This are some good news at last. And some corridors being large enough for sentinels means that we can fetch the venerable one and bring him here together with as much equipment as possible. We will center our base of operation in the underground. Inquisitor, make sure that we get as detailed plans as possible and then erase any remaining intel. We should go now and retrieve as much supplies as possible and prepare ourselves. There are Xenos to hunt from the shadows. Good thing you got some uninvited hunters on your planet..."
With that, Hawkeye will end the long discussion and head to the thunderhawk at speed.
"So be it, Brother Raptor. We will make the foul Xenos regret encroaching on Imperial Worlds."
"I dislike the idea of spending a long time underground, but I do remember a time fighting the great Ork invasion of Sephelia VI, we were just a small patrol and fell back into the planets natural cave system to harass the green beasts from there. Yes, yes there will be room for saga worthy actions here. Come let us load up on weapons, I just wish I had brought more Mjød"
"This is not the Sons of Antaeus' way of war. I'll be relying on you for this, brother Micrastur."
The massive librarian then start the preparations for the departure of the base.
You head back to the watch station while the air battle still rages. You probably only have an hour before the Tau main fleet is close enough to detect your thunderhawk when you leave.
"Well, Brothers, it is now, I feel, that we are truly tested beyond what would be expected of us. Beset on all sides by the perfidy and arrogance of the Xenos, we go now in the name of the Emperor to stem the tide of their advance and to lay them low beneath our feet. Ave Imperator!"
"We have a tight schedule before the air battle comes to its bitter end and further thunderhawk transits will be dangerous. So, Brother Scorpelio, will you see to the base's defensive? As soon as we are gone, the base should only run silent until intruders are within a few dozen meters and detection is certain. Hopefully that way this asset will not be lost. I will call the ancient to war again, and that done with, we all should hurry to bring as much of the heavy weapons and ammunition we can to the thunderhawk and head back to the city."
Opening the vox channel to the ancient, the Raptor continues. "Honored, ancient one. The foul Xenos will set their cursed feet on this planets soil within the next hours. We plan a long going guerilla war from the depth of the capitol to stall their advance and occupation process until allied forces can relief this world. The tunnels beneath the city should be large enough to allow your mighty frame. Will you accompany us in this endeavor? Will you join arms with us and share your rich experience in battling the foes of our beloved Imperator? Will you bring death and fear to this despicable Xenos? Then come with us."
"I Shall see to it, Brother Raptor, that any xenos who dare attack our base result in naught but an act of suicide on their part."
Ulf sets to work loading the flyer, his emphasis on the heavy weapons and ammunition.
Scorpelio sets the station to passive sensing mode, but set to go to full defense if the xenos get too close.
looking at the wargear you have you can get about half of it + the dreadnought in the thunderhawk or all of it with no dreadnought.
Having loaded up the shuttle, the team returns to the headquarters.
The dreadnought says as you disembark.
One of the Inquisitor's lackeys runs up to you at the same time, "Lord Astartes, the Inquisitor has identified an enemy force that has pushed too far ahead of the main body. He can provide a troop of Leman Russ tanks and a platoon of veterans in chimeras to support your attack."
"What is this force comprised of Acolyte? Were it possible, not risking our heavier equipment would be preferable with regards to current circumstances. For now, we must get equipment and our Brother Ancient settled into the tunnels and we shall reconvene with the Inquisitor once those tasks our complete."
And Scorpelio pointedly turns away from the Acolyte to the Dreadnought and continues.
"Come, Brother Ancient, the tunnels are this way."
With that, Scorpelio will try to lug as much gear with him as possible as he leads the Contemptor down into the tunnels.
Hawkeye quickly accesses the cartograph loaded with terrain information's and compares the position of the enemy, searching for a good spot for an ambush.
"I take it we are to expect tanks then. Is there an obvious place for an ambush for us and dedicated anti-tank infantry? Let the tanks lure them to an assault and we will catch them by surprise at their side or rear."